In the case of Smithing, if you can get Charoa in a conversation about it, you'll find out she makes all of her own armor and shields. Yes she doesn't wear a lot of armor because she's a mage but you can blame that on her current lack of motivation. However the dragonscale shield she has should spark conversation... never mind the common one she gets of 'what kind of mage does smithing?'

I sense Smith Wars in the future...